Learn how to measure a mobile home for skirting the right way. This simple step-by-step guide shows you how to measure perimeter and height so you can estimate how much skirting your mobile home may need.
If you are getting ready to install or replace skirting, the first job is to get good measurements. It may not be the most exciting part of the project, but it is one of the most important. A few careful measurements now can save you from buying too much material, coming up short, or making an extra trip later because something did not add up.
The good news is that measuring for mobile home skirting is not complicated. You do not need to be a contractor, and you do not need to be great at math. You just need a tape measure, something to write on, and a few minutes to walk around the home and write the numbers down carefully.
This guide will explain what to measure, where to measure, and how to get the numbers to estimate how much skirting you may need.
Good measurements help you do three important things:
avoid buying too much skirting
avoid coming up short
plan your project with more confidence
Even if you use a calculator later, the quality of the result depends on the quality of the numbers you put into it. In other words, good numbers in, better estimate out.
When measuring for skirting, there are two main things you need to know:
the total distance around the outside of the home
the average height from the bottom of the home down to the ground
The distance around the outside is called the perimeter. The height tells you how tall the skirting needs to be in order to close in the space under the home.
Those two numbers will do most of the heavy lifting.
Before you begin, gather a few simple tools:
tape measure
pencil or pen
notepad or printed worksheet
calculator
helper, if available
A helper is not required, but it can make the job easier when you are stretching a long tape measure around the home.
It can also help to use your phone to take a few pictures as you go. If you run into a tricky section later, those photos may help you make sense of your notes.
Before you pull out the tape measure, walk all the way around the home first.
Look for anything that may affect the measuring process, such as:
porches
steps
landings
utility hookups
odd corners
additions
uneven ground
This is also a good time to make sure you understand exactly what area you plan to skirt. In many cases, you are measuring just the home itself. In other cases, attached features may affect the layout and should at least be noted.
One more thing: measure the actual home, not just what the paperwork says. Listed dimensions are often rounded or approximate. Real-world measurements are what matter here.
Start by measuring all four outside sides of the home:
one long side
the other long side
one end
the other end
Even if the home is supposed to be a simple rectangle, do not assume the opposite sides are exactly the same. Measure each one and write it down separately.
A simple example might look like this:
Side 1: 60 feet
Side 2: 60 feet
End 1: 14 feet
End 2: 14 feet
Now add those four numbers together:
60 + 60 + 14 + 14 = 148 feet
That gives you a total perimeter of 148 linear feet.
This is one of the most important numbers you need, because skirting runs around the outside of the home.
Practical tip
Write each measurement down immediately. Do not trust yourself to remember it until later.
This is where a lot of people make a mistake. They take one height measurement, write it down, and call it good.
The problem is that ground is often uneven. One corner may sit higher than another. One side may slope. A dip in the yard can change how much skirting you need.
That is why you want to take several height measurements, not just one.
Where to measure height
A good starting point is to measure at:
each corner
the middle of each long side
the middle of each end
That gives you eight measurements on a basic rectangular home.
If the ground changes noticeably in one area, take an extra measurement there too.
How to measure height
Measure from the bottom edge of the home down to the ground. This gives you the distance the skirting will need to cover.
Write each number down clearly.
For example:
front left corner: 24 inches
middle of front side: 26 inches
front right corner: 25 inches
middle of right side: 30 inches
back right corner: 31 inches
middle of back side: 29 inches
back left corner: 27 inches
middle of left side: 25 inches
Now you are working with useful information.
Once you have all your height measurements, add them together and divide by the number of measurements you took.
Using the example above:
24 + 26 + 25 + 30 + 31 + 29 + 27 + 25 = 217 inches
217 ÷ 8 = 27.125 inches
That means your average height is about 27.1 inches.
That average gives you a practical working number for estimating how much skirting you may need.
If your lot is very uneven, also pay attention to the highest and lowest spots. The average is useful for planning, but unusual areas may still need special attention later.
This article is focused on measuring, so I do not want to let it get too broad. Still, while you are walking around with a tape measure, it is smart to make note of anything unusual that could affect the job.
Examples include:
a porch or landing
built-in steps
an odd corner or bump-out
utility connections
an access point you may want to work around
a section where the ground slopes sharply
You do not have to solve all of those issues right now. Just make a note of them so nothing gets overlooked later.
Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when measuring for skirting:
measuring only one side and assuming the rest
taking only one height measurement
rounding too much
forgetting odd-shaped areas
relying on paperwork instead of real measurements
writing sloppy notes and getting confused later
A little care now can save you trouble later.
Let’s say your home measures:
56 feet
56 feet
14 feet
14 feet
That gives you a perimeter of:
56 + 56 + 14 + 14 = 140 feet
Now let’s say your height measurements are:
24
25
26
27
28
27
25
24
Add them together:
24 + 25 + 26 + 27 + 28 + 27 + 25 + 24 = 206
Now divide by 8:
206 ÷ 8 = 25.75 inches
Now you have the two main numbers you need:
Perimeter: 140 feet
Average Height: 25.75 inches
That gives you a solid starting point for estimating your skirting materials.
By the time you finish, you should have:
all four side measurements
total perimeter
several height measurements from around the home
average height
notes about unusual areas
If you have those written down clearly, you are ready for the next step.
Now that you have your measurements, use the Mobile Home Skirting Calculator to get a quick estimate of how much skirting you may need for your project.
It is a simple way to turn your measurements into a practical starting point for planning and budgeting.
Do I measure the home or the lot?
Measure the home itself, not the lot.
How many height measurements should I take?
At a minimum, take one at each corner and one in the middle of each side. If the ground changes a lot, take more.
What if the ground is very uneven?
Take extra height measurements and make note of the highest and lowest areas. Those spots may need special attention later.
Should I measure around porches and steps?
At the very least, note them while measuring. Whether they affect the final amount of skirting depends on how the area is built and what will actually be enclosed.
Can I just use the size listed on the paperwork?
It is always better to measure the actual home. Paperwork can help, but real measurements are more reliable.
Ready to Estimate Your Skirting Materials?
Now that you have your measurements, use our Mobile Home Skirting Calculator to get a quick estimate for your project.